Regulations, Sampling and Operating PFAS Treatment Systems in the US

Webinar Summary

Many states have expressed frustration with the lack of federal cleanup standards for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water and 13 states have started the process of regulating PFAS in water themselves. Without a federal PFAS standard, the various states have enacted a wide range of regulations, notifications, or advisories. For example, Michigan has the lowest standard for concentration PFOA/PFOS substances in water below 6 ppt while many other states follow the EPA’s health advisory level of 70 ppt. Inclusion of a regulatory outlook in master planning for water infrastructure is crucial to the success of the plan for communities.

Every five years, EPA publishes unregulated contaminant monitoring rules (UCMR) to monitor for the highest priority unregulated drinking water contaminants. The purposes of UCMR rules are to collect occurrence data on the contaminants and to assist in development of analytical methodologies. The recently published UCMR5 will require sampling of drinking water systems during the 2023 to 2025. This presentation will update on the UCMR history and current program, test methods, sampling cost, certify analytical labs, reporting and associated timelines.  Examples of nationwide PFAS investigation sites typically include landfills, metal plating facilities, dry-cleaning facilities, chemical manufactures, and fire training facilities. The results from these investigations will be included.

Several PFAS treatment systems now under operation in NC, CA, AL, FL, and MI to remove PFAS to Non-Detect levels from Drinking Water. Details of these operating systems: Capacities, start dates, Capital, and Operation costs and funding utilized will be presented. PFAS waste disposal method at each of these plants will be discussed.

About the Presenter

Viraj deSilva, PhD, PE, BCEE, leads Freese and Nichols’ Treatment Process services. His national and international experience includes specific expertise in PFAS regulation/treatment. Dr. deSilva has more than 30 years of experience on water and wastewater treatment projects across the U.S. and 12 other countries, including PFAS management and treatment projects in five states working with airports, landfills, and other contaminated sites. He has been published in or presented at over 190 industry journals and conferences; authored EPA, WEF, ASCE, and AWWA manuals of practice; and his recent PFAS work is cited in AWWA and EPA publications. Over 54 PFAS Publications and Presentations at WEF, AWWA, AMTA, ASCE, SWANA, AAEE, APWA, GWPC, FSAWWA, FWRC, NACWA, SAME, and FL Permitting School.

Dr. deSilva currently serves on the WEF PFAS Task Force Vice Chair and works closely with the national EPA Council on PFAS and state agencies for the development of the new PFAS regulations. He is contributing to PFAS Utilities Roadmap (WE&T) and lead author for Industrial Pre-treatment Section. Dr. deSilva’s AWWA’s paper Managing and Treating PFAS in Membrane Concentrates has been selected as the 2021 AWWA Membrane Treatment Best Paper Award.

Viraj received a BS in Civil Engineering from Ukraine, an MS in Water Treatment from Japan, and PhD in Wastewater Treatment from Northwestern University. He is a licensed professional engineer in 6 states.

Webinar Format

This will be an interactive session with "live chat" capability. The session is open to environmental engineering and science professionals across all sectors and career stages. Our objective is to offer special insights on leading edge solutions for graduate and undergraduate students as well as early to mid-career environmental professionals who are considering specialty certification.

AAEES Board Certified Individuals: Attend this event and earn 1.5 PDHs towards your PDH requirements for maintaining your specialty certification.

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